That map is a brilliant photo, Marek. It's just exactly what I wanted to get this spring but the last two weekends have been write-offs because of the weather and this weekend is looking poor too. You're lucky to see maps commonly - they're not at all common here. It wasn't me you saw, I should add...

Humorously, I found two Large Tortoiseshells having territory right in my back garden. One of them hell of a butterfly, having wingspan up to 8 cm (photo). Yesterday I finally achieved a solid shot of a fresh Map (see that fantastic unblemished shades of blue on the rear wings). Can't imagine I woul...

Czech nature is waking up fast. How could it not be - it's up to 25 C everyday. As always, photos might have been better, maybe saving #3 (just hatched Celastrina argiolus). I've seen around a dozen of Large Tortoiseshells this Spring but the only Camberwell Beauty - that rare they are here outside ...

I continued observing the site seeing a fresh Camberwell Beauty just the day after - but only one shy individual. Large Tortoiseshells prepared me a different scenario, being reasonably common at the site but still a hard targets. I made a dosens of shots I mostly considered as crap, though. I'd lik...

I've seen first butterfly in April 14 and today they're already flying in solid numbers. Commas tend to sit on various 'bokeh-friendly' spots so I shoot them and not the others. (3) (4) Of course I'm heavily looking for either Large Tortoiseshells or Camberwell Beauties. Today I discovered an excell...

Hi Brits :D I'm quite happily employed very close to Hyundai car production, for money you'd probably never work for, but I still do have enough money to cover the whole 2013 butterfly season and even to purchase some equipment. I bought erebia.cz domain for the future and created a Deviant Art gall...

David, I was just riding in a heavy snow-storm from work, barely seeing where the road actually goes.

So you must be either a gifted provocateur or reading low-class weather forecasts

I'm so much looking forward to have the book at home anyway.

I just bought Lafranchis in some British e-shop, thanks for advices.

What a good read for my endless night shifts.

Situation in Central Europe: very usual. Either freezing or snowing, sometimes snow with the rain. Went to work for 8 hours today and found my car almost disappeared under that white crap. After some time of swearing and raking the snow off, I finally found some windscreens... No Red Admirals to be ...

I'm going to buy Lafranchis next week. The thing is, I'm not too much interested in identification keys. I just want to learn more about European distribution of species outside CZE, as well as read more about species not actually present here.This is what I'm looking for. If that's the case, Marek...

I'm going to buy Lafranchis next week.

The thing is, I'm not too much interested in identification keys. I just want to learn more about European distribution of species outside CZE, as well as read more about species not actually present here.This is what I'm looking for.

No particularly favourite photo, but some solid... Like this one...

The species was dominant at the site, flying both in slope extensive pastures and alluvial meadows (and really small peat bogs)

David, thanks to Pete you don't need to any more. In fact, there will be an updated version of the book now in 2013, I was lucky to contribute by the dates. Who's the friend of yours? :D I clearly see it'll be better for me to order things abroad, probably en masse . Thanks again. Here you have anot...

Thanks for the great response (and scans full of... wacky paranormal conincidences!) David, please, would you be so kind to make a random page photo of Collins Butterfly Guide (Tolman & Lewington) Just for the comparison. My favourite and most beloved butterfly books so far: http://www.lepidopte...

The question is: to buy or not to buy? I've heard it's a classic (for photographers). Why? What's the strongest part? Who of you owns the book? Would be sb. so kind and scan for me 1-2 pages representing style how the book is made? It costs a lot of money here. So I'm asking in advance. DANKE :twist...

It's basically ubiquist. Just as phlaeas, similarly sparse but in many places. Dispar's far more predictible (is that a word? :D), since males tend to inherit the same territories. Sometimes it's really like a copypaste of the previous year... So one can be sure to meet them in the right time/place....

You Brits are really obsessed with dispars, don't you.

Have I already told you I have dispar biotope right behind the house?

(I just have to be really annoying from time to time. )

Since it's a good target, I met and shot many Commas of very different colours and shades. But I only like this one from Sep 4th. Nigel, good to hear you at least bone up on a bit for such a cool photo :D Agree with David, Commas I know tend to inherit not only the biotopes, but also a certain trees...

My favourite Brown Argus was taken at Losový , August 15, a site known for strong populations of arion , niobe , bellargus and up to 100 other species. I made a new discovery here that day - Plebeius argyrognomon (after genitalization). As always, can't decide which photo I'll keep. As Judas Priest ...

Some lucky dreamer you are, I myself can't remember dreaming about butterflies recently, except hunting a first Spring butterflies which was, I don't know why, Easter Short-tailed Blue . My other dreams are rather macabre, hitting some spooky creatures with car in the night woods, being an arson and...